RTI activist receives death threats from mining mafia

A Right to Information activist who has been working to expose irregularities in the mining sector today claimed to be living in constant fear after receiving death threats by mining mafia who were allegedly supporters of the ruling party.

A Right to Information activist who has been working to expose irregularities in the mining sector on Sunday claimed to be living in constant fear after receiving death threats by mining mafia who were allegedly supporters of the ruling party.

The 45-year-old activist, Sarbeswar Behura alias Chaguli, said he had lodged three separate complaints with the police and met Jajpur superintendent of police seeking security claiming his life was in danger.

But the police were sitting on the complaints, he alleged.

"Last week, a group of anti-socials came to my house at Jaraka and threatened to kill me in full public view. Immediately I brought the matter to the notice of the local police and filed a written complaint," he said.

After Behura filed the FIR, the miscreants pulled down his boundary wall at Saroi village, he claimed.

"However, police took no action," he alleged, adding, the miscreants also set fire to five stacks of paddy worth over Rs 50,000 on Thursday.

"I met the additional SP of Jajpur and apprised him about all the incidents and police inaction. He has assured me to look into the matter personally," said the victim.

When contacted, the additional SP Rabi Narayan Behera said, "I have asked the Dharmasala police to take immediate action and arrest the accused persons involved in the crimes".

Behura said the incident occurred after he filed a PIL with the Orissa High Court praying to stop illegal mining in his area. As the illegal mining was stopped after the Court direction, the issue flared up and he was assaulted.